A major overhaul of Texas’ school data reporting system is raising alarms among administrators and data specialists across the state. They are worried that recent upgrades to the system have introduced numerous unresolved errors, potentially jeopardizing state funding.
As first reported by The Texas Tribune, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires the state’s more than 1,200 school districts to submit data regularly. This includes information such as attendance, enrollment figures, special education, homelessness statistics, and college preparatory course completions. This data is essential for evaluating school performance and determining funding levels.
Three years ago, the TEA introduced significant changes to this reporting system, aimed at streamlining data sharing and reducing manual processing. Over 300 districts tested the new system in a pilot program last school year, and the system is now fully operational.
Despite initial support from districts, the new system has encountered several issues. The transition has revealed numerous errors, from misreported student records to incorrect program enrollments.
Previously, districts submitted data directly to the TEA through a software vendor. Under the new system, vendors now transmit the data to the state, leaving districts unable to verify information before submission.
TEA officials believe that districts will have time to correct errors before the first reporting deadline on December 12 and can make further corrections by January 16. However, according to The Texas Tribune, some districts like Lewisville ISD, are struggling with unresolved errors and have requested a delay in the full transition.
Lewisville ISD Superintendent Lori Rapp expressed frustration over the lack of clarity and support from the TEA.
“Maybe because there’s no ramifications to them and the stakes aren’t as high, they don’t have a concern,” Rapp told The Texas Tribune. “But for districts, the stakes are extremely high, and it’s a gross oversight on their part if they are failing to recognize that.”
The accuracy of data is crucial as it affects school funding and performance evaluations. Misreporting could lead to reduced funding and affect school accountability.
An inaccurate count of student enrollment in Texas public schools could result in districts receiving reduced state funding. Schools rely on state funding calculated by average daily attendance and receive extra financial support for students with specific needs, such as those with disabilities or English language learners.
This year funding has been a significant source of tension between Texas schools and state officials. During the 88th Texas Legislature session, despite having a historic budget surplus, and 246 days in session — the longest session in history — lawmakers only passed 10% of education bills.
As a result, a discernible trend is taking shape among Independent School Districts, with an increasing number reporting budget deficits.
In addition, Texas’s school accountability system relies on the data school districts send. Performance metrics are important to parents when they are deciding where to enroll their children.
“We need more answers around not only supporting the system to be successful but while we are making sure that it’s successful, how are we going to continue to assure that we’re not suffering consequences for a delay or inaccuracies in the data?” Mark White, assistant superintendent of accountability for the Tomball Independent School District, told The Texas Tribune. “And none of those assurances have been received by districts.”
